Former men’s soccer standout and current women’s head soccer coach Mike Kobylinski has found a way to even further intertwine himself into the Dutch programs this fall, as the Central alum will also be helping the men’s soccer program this fall as an assistant. A captain on Garry Laidlaw’s first-place 2002 squad, Kobylinski says his new role holds special meaning for him.

“It’s kind of special to me since I graduated here. I graduated in ‘03, so I played for Garry, so I know a lot of what I teach my young women is what I learned from him,” said Kobylinski. “I’m excited to embark on that opportunity and get to work on that; but to also have my focus be on the women’s [team] for the fall as well.”

Laidlaw said his former standout was a natural choice once Interim Athletic Director Eric Van Kley challenged him to find a replacement for a coaching vacancy on the men’s staff.

“We’d been charged and challenged with trying to find a staffing model that was sustainable and worked best,” said Laidlaw. “The more I thought about it, it just became an obvious choice to ask Koby [Kobylinski] if he’d be interested in the position. He already does so much to help our program anyway, why not make it official?”

Both coaches were quick to assure that Kobylinski’s top priorities will continue to be with the women’s program; as he’ll assume his assistant duties for the men mostly on game-days and through off-the-field duties.

Student-athletes for both Central College soccer teams will be on campus later this week, as the teams will soon begin practices and preparations for their opening matches of the fall season. The Dutch women kick things off on September 31st at Nebraska Wesleyan; while the men take to the pitch in Pella the following night – September 1st – against Wisconsin-Osh Kosh.

You can hear more from Coach Kobylinski and Coach Laidlaw by clicking here and finding the link for Monday night’s Central College Radio Coaches’ Corner.